Cecilia Otero

Monday, February 17, 2014

So last week I picked up a paintbrush, dipped it in india ink and just had a heyday. I then decided to make the ink drawings into a series entitled "Ink Patterns" (how original!). The ink series were made with several overlapping layers of varying shades of ink washes. I started with something very geometric then began to transition into making something else much more organic. I am now working on digitally coloring it in photoshop. Along is my mini mood board and color palette.

(the scanned ink drawings)

WIP so far- I'm a tad frustrated, however, I will push through the struggle and continue on!

Here is my mini mood board and color palette...which I now notice is very similar to the color palette of my previous mineral pattern. Oops...ah well...doesn't change the fact that the colors still go well together.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

So I started this project not really expecting much- in fact I like to think of it as more of a sketch. I drew the nearest person to me (which happened to be Megan). After I just started to embroider. I'm still not sure what the end result will look like but there will be planets and stars which is imagery that comes to mind when I think of Megan. Here's my progress so far- its also worth mentioning that I think I'm finally getting the hang of satin stitching!

So I've been getting back into embroidery lately and challenging myself to learn different stitches to add more variety in my fabric work. It's definitely frustrating but I happy with my results so far and am excited to learn more.

I began this piece not really expecting anything and I have to say I am quite pleased with the end result- though it does need some work but with anything my embroidery will only improve with time and practice.

Here are some photos documenting my progress.

This piece is titled "Eye of Providence" and it took me approximately 6 days to finish.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

GOOD NEWS: Just finished my mineral pattern! This pattern was a lot of fun to draw...though I had difficulty getting the repeat pattern to line up perfectly in photoshop which was definitely a struggle. I'm still playing around with the layout and how I want to present the pattern swatch, the color palette, and the actual pattern...but until then here is what I came up with.

I guess working at a coffee shop is starting to wear off on me as I decided to format the patterns into mug designs. I'm quite happy with how this turned out. Like I said, quite pleased.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

So in conjunction with working on my pattern and surface design work I have begun another project of sorts for myself. After receiving letters this summer I decided to make postcards and send them to friends in the mail! I've always loved receiving handwritten letters in the mail- it really makes my day!

I love to collage and am a collector of all sorts of things- some of which include vintage postcards, endless amounts of fashion and National Geographic and travel magazines, embroidery thread, glitter modge podge, stationary paper..it goes on and on but these are a few of my favorites to work with. Here are 2 of the 15 postcards I have made (the goal is to make 30 postcards and send them out!)

Thursday, September 19, 2013

After a busy summer following graduation from KCAI (woohoo!) things are somewhat starting to slow down. After meeting with a surface designer this past summer and being advised to develop a collection I have decided to start. The theme is Geology- specifically minerals and fossils. The collection will consist of five different patterns, two of which will be more illustrative and detailed patterns (considered the main patterns in the collection) with three simpler patterns to go along with it. Not only will the theme of minerals and fossils tie the patterns together, but I have also decided on a definite color palette as seen above.

Here is a progress shot of where I am at. Though this particular pattern is still in the works, my next pattern will be similarly executed in design, though the subject will be fossils.